Important changes are happening to SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan effective November 16, 2018

The SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan will be undergoing changes on November 16th as outlined in the recent Offering Statement Supplement. To ensure that these changes are implemented successfully, there will be a blackout period covering all online activity from 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 15th, through approximately 7:00 a.m. EST on Monday, November 19th. During this period no transactions or account changes can be initiated or requested via the SMART529 WV Direct website.

SMART529 is a program of the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees and administered by Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC ("HFMC").

SMART529 Direct is available to residents of West Virginia or to non-residents where the beneficiary is a resident of West Virginia. West Virginia (WV) provides certain tax advantages to WV taxpayers that invest in SMART529 Direct. Before investing, an investor should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan.

Investments in SMART529 are not guaranteed or insured by the State of West Virginia, the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program, the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office, HFMC, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., the investment sub-advisors for the Underlying Funds or any depository institution. Investments in SMART529 are subject to investment risks, including the loss of the principal amount invested, and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Investments in SMART529 are subject to certain charges, which will reduce the value of your Account as they are incurred. Please see the Offering Statement for details of charges or fees that apply to the specific SMART529 savings plan.

This information is written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the matter(s) addressed in this material. The information cannot be used or relied upon for the purpose of avoiding IRS penalties. These materials are not intended to provide tax, accounting or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult your own tax or legal counsel for advice.

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of SMART529 and its Underlying Funds before investing. This and other information can be found in the Offering Statement for SMART529 and the prospectuses or other disclosure documents for the Underlying Funds, which can be obtained on this website or by calling toll-free (866) 574-3542. Please read them carefully before you invest or send money. SMART529 is distributed by Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC. Member SIPC.

"The Hartford" is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.